![\"Copyright](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Copyright-Strike-Example.jpg\")
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Facebook doesn’t have a huge, broken system like YouTube’s Content ID. They have some automatic content filtering, and it can be extremely sensitive, but it mostly just applies to their livestream system and their videos. You can still be hit with copyright strikes for images and other content as well.<\/p>\n
A large part of Facebook’s copyright system depends on user-submitted reports. Facebook will do some soft investigation when a user submits a copyright report, but they will usually only act on a report if it is accompanied by an official legal request. If you’re curious how that works, look up some posts about reporting a copyright violation.<\/p>\n
Penalties for Copyright Violation<\/h3>\n
When you are accused of violating copyright or trademark on Facebook, the first thing that generally happens is your content is removed<\/strong>. You are notified why the content was removed, and you are given a link to dispute the copyright claim if you believe either you own the rights to the content or your use of the content is fair use. A counter-claim will cause either the original claim to be removed, or will escalate into a potential legal battle, so be careful with how much value you put on the content you post.<\/p>\n Repeatedly violating copyright \u2013 or at least having your content removed because of it \u2013 will cause more penalties to rack up for your page. Your account can be disabled, your page can be removed, your ability to post media can be restricted, and in extreme cases Facebook might facilitate someone taking legal action against you. In short, a lot of stuff you don’t want to have happen to you.<\/p>\n So how can you try to ensure you aren’t violating copyright?<\/p>\n Copyright laws, trademark laws, and all the various intellectual property laws are a labyrinthine mess of vague precedent, predatory lawyers, judges living in the 70s, and contradictions. I don’t mean to say you should learn enough to be a copyright lawyer. Rather, just learn enough about copyright to understand what is and isn’t violation.<\/p>\n The key thing to know is that just because something is online does not mean you have permission to use it. Images in Google image search are almost always copyrighted, and just because you can find them doesn’t mean you’re legally allowed to use them. It’s actually a very clear-cut violation of copyright law and one of the few where you’re unequivocally in the wrong.<\/p>\n In order to use any content on your Facebook page, you need to either:<\/p>\n If you aren’t certain you have permission to use a piece of content, be it an image, a song, a video clip, or what have you, exercise extreme caution. Remember: Fair Use is a defined legal term, not a catch-all for however you want to use content. Don’t just assume how you’re using content construes fair use.<\/p>\n In addition to knowing the basic laws about copyright, you also need to be aware of the site policies for the sites you’re using.<\/p>\n The terms of use are virtually identical between the two sites, but I’ll link to both of their documents here.<\/p>\n Facebook’s Copyright Help Center Page<\/a> Remember that these corporations would much rather ban your business page than suffer through lawsuits where they have to argue that, despite hosting content, they are not the ones violating copyright. All responsibility \u2013 and all punishments \u2013 will fall to you.<\/p>\n This one is probably rule number one of copyright. If you didn’t create the content, don’t post it.<\/span> Images, videos, books, movies, songs; it doesn’t matter what it is. Copyright isn’t something you need to apply for, it applies automatically when you create content.<\/p>\n If you think this gets in the way of certain kinds of contests or other posts you want to make, well, make it explicit. For example, if you run a Facebook contest asking people to edit an image in an amusing way for a prize, ensure two things. First, make sure the original image is something you created. Second, make sure you have a contest terms and conditions document that explicitly gives you the rights to reproduce any submissions. You can find plenty of template terms around online, or you can consult a lawyer to draft one up for you.<\/p>\n Music is one of the easiest kinds of content to identify and is thus one of the most commonly reported issues with copyright. The problem you might encounter is that some instances of clear fair use \u2013 like cover songs \u2013 can trip the algorithm.<\/p>\n Facebook has banned people before for cover songs<\/a>, even though they later made the policy that allows them. Just be careful any time you’re attempting audio-based fair use. You can run into issues.<\/p>\n Attribution does not mean you’re not violating copyright. If the copyright holder doesn’t want you to use their content, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re linking to their site.<\/p>\n What attribution does is shows some goodwill. Many artists, small time musicians, and other content creators don’t have the time or money to pursue legal action. If you’re using their content and you don’t attribute it to them, they’ll be a lot more likely to pursue the copyright claim. If you attribute it, at least, some artists will take the exposure and let you keep using it.<\/p>\n This only works if you’re a business they approve of, of course. If the NRA took art from someone who is personally anti-firearm, you can bet it wouldn’t matter if they attributed it or not; the copyright claim would go forward.<\/p>\n Attribution is simply a very minor social element that might make an artist hesitate on filing a claim, that’s all. Don’t count on it to save you.<\/p>\n If you really want to use copyrighted content on your page for any reason, do it the right way.<\/strong> Draft up a contract \u2013 one in favor of the artist is generally most acceptable \u2013 and offer to pay for a license.<\/p>\n Offer a fair rate and you’ll likely get a positive response, and you may even be able to work with that content creator in the future. Build a relationship, rather than fail at theft.<\/p>\n Yes, we all know that Great Memes Every Day Dot Facebook Dot Net<\/em> is a great page full of absolute piles of stolen content<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just because they get away with it doesn’t mean what they’re doing is legal. Follow the rules, not the crowd.<\/p>\n Livestreaming or recording live events is particularly hazardous. I’ve known people who have posted live videos and later had them removed on copyright grounds because of a song playing over a supermarket radio or something similar.<\/p>\n These copyright claims can be pretty sensitive, so be careful with any audio, even background audio.<\/p>\n There are a lot of sites where you can find content available for free use. Look for the creative commons licenses. You can even use Google’s image search, if you go to Tools, then Usage Rights, then Labeled for Reuse.<\/p>\n Copyright trolls are companies or individual lawyers that go out of their way to file frivolous copyright claims to remove content, often demanding payment to get the content reinstated. Learn the names of the common trolls<\/a> and help separate the bad reports from the real reports.<\/p>\n Sooner or later, something you post is probably going to be removed, and if you’re careful, it will probably be an incorrect removal.<\/p>\n Learn the appeal forms, make sure you have your information handy, and learn how to file such reports.<\/p>\n![\"Facebook](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Facebook-Post-Removed.jpg\")
<\/p>\n1. Learn Copyright Laws<\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/What-is-Fair-Use.jpg\")
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2. Read Facebook and Instagram’s Copyright Policies<\/h3>\n
![\"Facebook](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Facebook-and-Instagram-Logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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\nInstagram’s Copyright Help Center Page<\/a><\/p>\n3. Avoid Posting Content You Didn’t Create<\/h3>\n
4. Avoid Sharing Music You Didn’t License<\/h3>\n
![\"Video](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Video-Removed-Copyright.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. When in Doubt, Give Attribution<\/h3>\n
6. Ask For Permission and Prepare to Pay<\/h3>\n
7. Don’t Use Others as Rationalization<\/h3>\n
8. Be Careful with Video Streaming<\/h3>\n
![\"Facebook](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Facebook-Live-Video-and-Music.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9. Familiarize Yourself with Creative Commons Content<\/h3>\n
10. Learn the Names of Copyright Trolls<\/h3>\n
11. Learn the Appeal Forms<\/h3>\n
![\"Appeal](\"https:\/\/autolikes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Appeal-Copyright-Decision-Facebook.jpg\")
<\/p>\n12. Don’t Use the Money Defense<\/h3>\n